Eastborne

Yesterday we took the train to Eastborne which is in the South |Downs area. It is right on the sea, with a gorgeous beach rising up to white chalk cliffs. It was a stunningly beautiful day. Later in the day there were just enough clouds to allow for really super sunbeams that shone upon us for well over an hour. We hiked here for over four hours up along the beach and then up along the cliffs of Beachy Head. Some areas were so steep, and windy that you felt as though you just may blow over the cliffs! This was one of my favorite days of our holiday!

Paris

So here we are is gay Paris, doing all the typically touristy things. We have loads of photos, but I will post a sample of what we have done. This fellow was part of a lamp post. A well placed bird poop made him appear to be crying.

 Of course we saw Notre Dame, but ony from outside. The line was too long to wait to go in.Overlooking the river Seine.

Swimming in the Louvre fountain.

The Pont Neuf at night. One of 37 bridges in the city.I think every one knows this little sculpture. Sharing a french pastry.Puckering up with a lamp post fishy.

A bride and groom were having their photos taken at the louvre. in the distance, the Arc du triomphe du carosel, a memorial to Napolion. That is not the large Arc du Tiomphe of fame.

Lee's Corner of the world

This is where my cousin Lee lives, in Scotland, near Gretna Green. As we came past the Lake District on the way, it was almost like being in the hillier areas of Southern Saskatchewan. I love the bare hills.

This is where Lee lives. She is in a lovely little cottage on a one lane road. This is the view from the back of her house. The scene from every window in her house looks out onto rolling green hills. 

Lee;s little puppy captured our hearts, with those big silky ears and those intelligent eyes.   

   These are windmills, seen allover the moors nowadays. The little white blobs on the grass are sheep, which are also allover the hills.

Gretna Green Is just a few minutes down the road. It is where people have run off to for years to elope. As a matter of fact, this is where my sister Cathy got married.

I wonder if that little house on the hill would be for sale? I can picture us living there. It seems I like alot of places, wherever I go I seem to think that I would like to live there!

Blackpool

Sorry, I havent posted for a few days. We have been visiting and travelling and I havent had the opportunity to get on the computer untill now. Ill do a few separate posts to bring you up to date. Here is the first one....
On Tuesday we headed north to Blackpool, one of the seaside resorts of my childhood. We got a late start, as our hire car was only ready at noon. Then we got lost a couple of times. Lets just say, we took the scenic route. We passed signs for Bolton, where I lived the first 9 years of my life. It was a strange feeling being there as I have not been in the area for 31 years. I was wishing Carol could be with me to share the memories.

It was dark by the time we got to Blackpool. As it turns out there was a bike ride going on along the main promenade. Blackpool has the promenade lit up at this time of year with thousands of lights. It is very pretty at night. I can still hear my dads voice saying "BLACPOOL 'LUMINATIONS!!!" All the roads leading to the hotels were blocked off and we couldnt get into our hotel untill 10:30pm. Hundreds of people and children were enjoying riding under the lights. 

Finally we got in to our hotel, which was really lovely. This was actually Keith and My 25th anniversary. But we were to tired to celebrate by then and promtly collapsed into bed. I was also feeling rotten because, due to our late arrival, I had missed the chance to meet up with a long lost cousin, who I havent seen since before we immigrated. 

In the morning, we had a stroll along the beach. It was a gorgeous morning and the sea was sparkling blue. Heidi was advertizing her Canadian-ness with her red tshirt. For you non-Canadians, the verse on her shirt is a line from the Canadian national anthem.

It was such a clear day that we could see for miles. It was warm enough thet kids were already getting into the water. Unfortunately we did not have our 'Cozzies' with us. Besides we had to get going. We went back to the hotel to pick up our car. They served us elevensies. The girls enjoyed playing up the whole English Teaparty thing. After the tea was all gone, we piled in the car and headed off to Scotland.

Greenwich

Today we went out to Greenwich. This is the University of Greenwich, which used to be a Naval Hospital. In the distance, across the River Themes, is the modern Canary Wharf, where my Brother in Law James works. I love the contrast of the old and new.

On the University grounds. The Queens House in the distance.

Waiting for the train.

Charlies Angels found a letterbox.

Freshly changed out of their superman suits.

Royal Greenwich Observatory 24 hour clock.

What lovely sweets. Only allowed to window shop.

Another one for Grandad. The new planetarium, just outside the observatory.

Straddling the prime meridian at 0 degrees.

Hastings

Today we got up early and took the train south to Hastings.

Having our picnic on the beach in, we attracted a flock of very hungry seagulls

Standing on the beach, looking towards the bluff where there are ruins of a castle.

On the beach. The wind was quite strong so keith put his hood on and looked like a garden gnome. 

Emma on the merry go round.

The surf.

On the sea wall.Heidi had a growing spurt and is now 8 feet tall.

James and Catherine on the way through Hastings meadow.